A400M: Meeting Its Customers

Airbus Military is taking its A400M on somewhat of a road show. With less than a year to go before the military airlifter is due to enter service with its launch operator, the French air force, Airbus Military is taking its flight test aircraft to the various buying countries.

One stop on the way was the French airbase (123) near Orleans where the airlifter was on April 24 and April 25. The flights do not count against the 300 hour function and reliability test requirement, however.

The RAF also is getting a close-up look with a stop at RAF Brize Norton and other air forces also are being shown the aircraft.

The familiarization exercise comes as the European Aviation Safety Agency has granted the restricted type certificate to the airlifter, with the full certificate to follow midyear.

But development issues are not totally overcome. Airbus Military and Europrop International are investigating vibration the aircraft is experiencing that is believed to be linked to the TP400D turboprop.